At first I was thinking that they should be worried because there are only 4 soaps left, then I realized they know there are only 4 soaps left and they don't have to compete against 10 other soaps. They just think, TPTB, that people should just be glad to watch what is left of daytime dramas on network tv, and they don't care whether their shows are any good.

Funny you should say, because I read an interview with Cady McClain the other day and she claims that the opposite is true. According to her, the knowledge that soaps aren't forever anymore and that any of the last four standing could be gone any moment has made everyone work harder and care more. It's not always visible onscreen, but the mindset is there.